George loved to move, so he decided to be a basketball player. Then one day the world outside looked red to him and he started to see other colorful squiggles in the air and suffer from constant headaches. The doctor told him that he was going blind, but George didn’t lose all of his sight, instead he continued to see bright colors and flashing lights. He had to stop playing basketball because he could no longer see the basket. Eventually, George took up running, mostly because it made him so tired that he could forget being blind. He could run very fast, so fast that he went to the Olympics, twice. But George continued to see a world of colors that no one else could see. It wasn’t until a friend was killed that he started to ask himself why he was there, and George started to talk about being blind to groups and also to paint the world that he sees.

A truly inspirational story, Mendoza is an example of someone being incredible resilient in the face of a life-changing disability. The fact that he began to run after losing his sight is amazing and also inspiring. But it is his visions and his art that shine on the page, a world painted in colors that only he can see. The process of George becoming an artist is shown in all of its slow progression which also gives the sense that there is time to find your path, time to be the person you are meant to be.

Seeing his paintings on the page is immensely powerful. They are bold and bright, done in thick lines. They have a voice to them that shouts on the page and they tell the story of what George sees more clearly than any words can.

Highly recommended, this picture book biography is a powerful tale of resilience and overcoming barriers. Appropriate for ages 7-10.

Like this:

After the Eiffel Tower stunned World’s Fair visitors in 1889, it was up to Chicago to impress people at their 1893 World’s Fair. So a nationwide contest was announced, but unfortunately many of the designs were just slightly-modified Eiffel Towers, so all of them were rejected. George Ferris was an American engineer who had already designed big bridges, tunnels and roads across the nation. He had an idea for a structure that would not just rival the stature of the Eiffel Tower, but would also move and be able to be ridden. The judges of the contest reluctantly agreed to let him try, but would not offer him a penny of funding. Ferris managed to find a few wealthy investors to help him and construction began on the huge project of creating a delicate wheel that would be strong enough to turn filled with people. The tale of the building and invention of this now iconic ride is rich with suspense and the delight of accomplishment.

Davis has written a very successful picture book biography on George Ferris and his delight of an invention. Occasionally in the text, there are sections in smaller font that offer more details and information. It is all fascinating and those sections will be enjoyed as much as the main text. Davis clearly explains differences between today and the late 1800s, such as the lack of Internet to carry ideas. The story has plenty of dangers, lots of action and the ever-present danger of failure to carry it forward and make it enjoyable reading.

Ford’s illustrations are filled with rich, deep colors that capture different times of day. They are a winning mix of straight, firm lines and hand-drawn characters and structures. The play of the two on the page makes for illustrations that are eye-catching and that draw you into the story and the time period.

This is a particularly strong picture book biography that children will pick up thanks to the everlasting appeal of the Ferris Wheel. Appropriate for ages 7-10.